Process for the production of pyrophorous substances for ignition and illumination.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST LESMIILLEB, OF MUNICH, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR T LUDWIG WEISS, OF BARMEN-RITTERSHAUSEN, GERMANY.

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PYROPHOROUS SUBSTANCES FOR IGNITION AND ILLUMINATION.

No Drawing.

4 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST LnsMt'iLLEa, a subject of the German Emperor, and resident of Munich, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes for the Production of Pyrophorous Substances for Ignition and Illumination, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a method of making pyrophoric metallic substances from metals of the so-called rare earths, among such metals are to be included ceri um. thorium, yttrium, lanthanum, neodyium, praseodymium, and samarium, which are known as the metals of the cerium group of the rare earth metals and are distinguished for their considerable heat of combustion and low temperature of ignition, therefore, if they are scratched with harder metals, they detach small particles of metal which immediately burn in developing much heat and in radiating intense light. The pure metals possess this quality in a very high degree. The pure metals are however too soft and they oxidize too easily and they are, therefore. unfit for technical utilization. Said metals, therefore, have to be admixed with other substances for obtaining the smallest sparks possible, that is to say, for reducing the consumption of the metal to the utmost limit, said substances having to be harder and less subject to oxidation than the metal. Actually the heavy metals, such as iron, nickel and cobalt are used for the said purpose. The addition of the heavy metals has however the effect that the heat of combustion of the rare metal is considerably reduced.

Experiments have shown, that the metals of the above referred to rare earths in combination with silicon, titanium or boron aremuch harder than usual. more economicalin use. of less oxidizability and that they are of greater durability than is actually the case if they are exposedto the air. The temperature of ignition of the metals thus prepared is very low so that they detach. it' rubbed against a harder body. very easily small particles which inflame at once in the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

Application filed December 30, 1908. Serial No. 470,124.

open air and ignite combustible gas-mixtures, benzene, alcohol and even solid combustible substances. The said compositions are produced by alloying the precious earths, obtained by electrolysis, with silicon, titanium or boron in the cell of decomposition, or by melting the precious earth in fusions which prevent the admission of the air or in indifi'erent gases and adding the other component of the composition. The amount of silicon, titanium and boron added to the precious earths should be in the following limits: silicon from 1.8% minimum to 14% maximum. boron from 1.2% minimum to maximum, titanium from 1.5% minimum to 19% maximum. The more silicon, titanium or boron is added to the precious earths, the harder the pyrophorous metals will be. The hardness of the composition may therefore be regulated at will and according to the purpose of employment. If suitable oxidizing substances are admixed with said pyrophorous substances they can be used advantageously, after they have been pulverized, for the preparation of flashlights, lighting-compositions and the like.

I claim:-

1. The hereindescribed method of increasing the pyrophoric properties of a metallic alloy containing ametal of the cerium group of the so-called rare earths, by combining the same with silicon.

2. The hereindescribed method of increasing the pyrophoric properties of a metallic alloy containing a metal of the cerium group of the so-called rare earths which consists in separating said metal of the cerium group by electrolysis and alloying the same with silicon.

3. The composition of matter consisting of a pyrophoric alloy combined with silicon. said alloy containing a metal of the cerium group of the rare earth metals.

ln witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

Al Gl ST IilCShll LLlClt.

\Vitnesses ARTIIIR V. W, t oornu. It minim limit. 

